Portable device for making rubber printing plates



Jan; 17, 1961 R. F. DERBY, SR

' PORTABLE DEVICE FOR MAKING RUBBER PRINTING PLATES Filed Sept. 18, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wm d Jan. 17, 1961 PORTABLE DEVICE FOR MAKING RUBBER PRINTING PLATES Filed Sept. 18, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

R. F. DERBY, SR 2,968,063

Sets Patent PORTABLE DEVICE FOR MAKING RUBBER PRINTING PLATES Ralph F. Derby, S12, 29 Broadway, Raynham, Mass. Filed Sept. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 840,884

'10 Claims. (Cl. 18-5) This invention relates to a device for making printing plates of rubber or similar impressionable material.

One object of my invention is to provide such a device that is portable and can be heated by a gas burner, electric plate or other heating ineans in common use.

Another object is to provide such a device that embodies both the mechanism to impress a plastic matrix by means of the usual printing type and to impress a rubber sheet by means of said matrix.

Still another object is to provide my device with arms or guides which have stop members that serve as such when impressing the plastic matrix by means of the type, which arms may be swung out of the way when impressihg a rubber sheet by means of said matrix.

A further object is to provide such a device that is compact, all parts of which are simple to manufacture, and the'moving parts of which are certain in operation.

The foregoing and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and arrangement of parts, such as is disclosed by the drawings. The nature of the invention is such as to render it susceptible to various changes and modifications, and therefore, I am not to be limited to the construction disclosed by 'the'drawi'ngs nor to the particular parts described in the specification; but am entitled to all such changes therefrom as fall within the scope of my claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my device for making printing plates.

Fig. 2 is a side elevatio'rial view of said device'in which a chase of type and a matrix to be impressed by my type, "are held by my device.

, Fig. 3 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 2; but showing a matrix and rubber plate, to be impressed by said matrix, held by my device.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4'-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of an arm forming part of my device.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of said arm.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 2.

As illustrated, my device has a base 10 having a flat supporting surface 12 that may be circular, and having an "ex ension 14, beyond which is a handle 16. Three upright posts 18, each having a lower reduced portion 20, are attached to said base 10 by screws 22 that extend through the base and reduced portion and into said posts 18. At the top said posts 18 each have a reduced neck '24 and a retainer head 26 above, and wider than, "said neck 24.

Three arms or guides 30, shown as arcuate-shaped,

"each has an opening 32 at one 'end through which a said post reduced portion 20 extends, so that said arms 30 2 stop member 34, having a flat top surface 36, all three beipg of the same height and providing a s-pe tin level surface. Each arm also has a ledge por'tioh 38 at the bottom formed by making the arm wider at the bottom or lower end than said base post 18 above it. p

A pressure plate 40 has a main body 42 having three cut-outs 44 in the periphery thereof that receive portions of said posts 18 in position of use. It also has three pa ripheral extension portions 46 extending outwardly whieh' are so positioned that they may rest on said stop memb'efe 34 of said arms 30, as later explained. Said plate 40 a raised center position '48 extending upwardly.

V A cover 50: has three slots 52, each of varying width, the larger slot portions receiving said post retainer heads 26 when the cover is placed over said posts. The smaer portions can only receive said post reduced necks 24 when the cover is moved into locking position above said pres, sure plate 40. Said cover 50 has a raised central ertiou 54-anda screw-threaded hole 56 extends throughthe latter and through said cover. A pressure member, shown as a screw 58, enters said hole 56 and when itis screwed down, by rotation of a wrench W entering an opening in said screw; 58, the latter bears against said raised center portion 48 of the pressure plate, rerci gthe latter downwardly causing the type to make the desired formations of letters, numerals, designs and the like into said matrix. I V I h ,7

To makethe usual rubber printing plate, my device is heated to the desired point A matrix 60 is placed on said base flat surface 12. Then'a chase 62, holding the selected forms of type 64 desired, is placed on said matrix 60 in' the usual way. Said arms 30 are directly above said flat surface 12 'as-shown-in Fig. 2. Said pres.- sure plate '40 is placed onsaid chase 62, and said cover screw 58 is screwed down, forcing said pressure plate and said-chase downwardly, thus causing the type to cut into said matrix. When said pressure plate reaches said stop members 34 of said arms 30, its downward movement is stopped, and at this point the type has made its impression in said matrix 60 to the desired degree. The assembly is kept together, as above described, the desired length of time, which is usually about ten minutes, until the matrix is permanently conditioned, whereupon the screw is loosened and thecover, pressure plate, chase aria matrix are removed.

To make a printing plate, a sheet of rubber 66,0! impressionable material, which is pre-formed or were the correct size, is placed on the flat surface 12 of said base, which is heated, said arms being first swung, oujtwardly, from said base, as shown in Fig.3, carrying said stop members 34 out of the way. Said matrix 60 is. placed on said rubber sheet 66 in the usual way, and said,

pressureplate is placed on said matrix. Said cover screw 58' is screwed down, forcing said pressure plate downwardly and causing the rubber in said sheet to enter the depressions or molded portions of said matrix. Wheh said pressure plate reaches said ledge portions 38 of said arms, portions of said rubber sheet 66 have entered the formations in said matrix to av predetermined poiritftlitis forming a permanent printing plate that may be used as often as-desired, to print cards, stationery and other articles'when properly mounted for use in a press.

Said arms 30 serve as guides for said matrix60 and saiii rubber plate 66, which are preferably cut to a predetermined shape and size to fit between saidarm ledgefpbfl tions 38.

The space between the ledge portions 38 provide a -means of escape for the expanding portions of'therubhr plate when the latter isfor'n'ied.

What l-elairh is:

3 of arms rotatably connected to said posts, each said arm embodying a stop member extending upwardly, each said arm embodying a ledge portion projecting laterally beyond said post connected to it, a pressure plate resting on said ledge portions, when in position of use, and a cover resting on said base posts and embodying a movable pressure member in contact with said pressure plate.

2. A device for making printing plates comprising a base, three curved posts attached to said base, three arms rotatably connected to said posts, each said arm embodying a stop member extending upwardly, a pressure plate adapted to rest on said arms when in position of use, and a cover adapted to rest on said basevposts and embodying a movable pressure member adapted upon actuation to contact said pressure plate and force it against said arms.

3. A device for making printing plates comprising a base, a plurality of posts attached to said base, a plurality of arms rotatably connected to said base, each embodying a ledge portion at one end projecting laterally beyond said post connected to said arm and a stop member extending upwardly at an end opposite said ledge portion, a pressure plate having a plurality of peripheral cutouts therein, said base posts entering said cutouts when said pressure plate is in position of use, said pressure plate resting upon said arm ledge portions when said arms extend outwardly away from said plate, and a cover resting on said base posts embodying a movable pressure member in contact with said pressure plate.

4. A device for making printing plates comprising a base, a plurality of posts attached to said base, a plurality of arms rotatably connected to said base, each embodying a ledge portion at one end projecting laterally beyond said post connected to said arm and a stop member extending upwardly at an end opposite said ledge portion, a pressure plate having a plurality of peripheral cutouts therein, said base posts entering said cutouts when said pressure plate is in position of use, said pressure plate embodying a plurality of extensions so positioned that they rest on said arm stop members when the latter are in their inward position, said pressure plate resting upon said arm ledge portions when said arms extend outwardly away from said plate, and a cover resting on said base posts embodying a movable pressure member in contact with said pressure plate.

5. A device for making printing plates comprising a base, a plurality of posts attached to said base, each having a reduced neck upper portion and a head portion above and wider than the latter, a plurality of arms each embodying a ledge portion at one end having a hole therethrough, each said post freely extending through a said hole so that said arm is rotatable on said base, each said arm embodying a stop member extending upwardly at an outer end thereof, a pressure plate having a plurality of peripheral cutouts therein, said base posts entering said cutouts when said pressure plate is in position of use, said pressure plate embodying a plurality of extensions so positioned that they rest on said arm stop members when the latter are in their inward position, said pressure plate resting upon said arm ledge portions when said arms extend outwardly away from said plate, and a cover resting on said base posts having a plurality of openings therein a portion of each said opening being of a size to pass over said base posts head portion and another portion of said opening being too small to pass over said head portion and being of a size to receive said reduced neck portion, said cover embodying a movable member connected thereto and adapted to move below said cover and bear against said pressure plate to thereby force the latter into operative position downwardly.

6. A device for making printing plates comprising a base, a plurality of posts attached to said base, each having a reduced neck upper portion and a head portion above and wider than the latter, a plurality of arms each embodying a ledge portion at one end having a hole therethrough, each said post freely extending through a said hole so that said arm is rotatable on said base, each said ledge portion extending laterally outward beyond a said post, each said arm embodying a stop member extending upwardly at an outer end thereof, a pressure plate, having a plurality of peripheral cutouts therein, said base posts entering said cutouts when said pressure plate is in position of use, said pressure plate resting upon said arm ledge portions in use when said arms extend outwardly away form said plate, and a cover resting on said base posts having a plurality of openings therein a portion of each said opening being of a size to pass over said base posts head portion and another portion of said opening being too small to pass over said head portion and being of a size to receive said reduced neck portion, said cover embodying a screw member screw-threadedly connected thereto and adapted to move below said cover and bear against said pressure plate to thereby force the latter into operative position downwardly.

7. A device for making printing plates comprising a base, a plurality of posts attached to said base each having a reduced bottom portion and each having a reduced neck upper portion and a head portion above and wider than the latter, a plurality of arcuate-shaped arms each embodying a ledge portion at one end having a hole therethrough, each said post reduced bottom portion extending freely through a said hole so that said arm is rotatable on said base, each said ledge portion extending laterally outward beyond a said post, each said arm embodying a stop member extending upwardly at an outer end thereof, a pressure plate, having a plurality of peripheral cutouts therein, said base posts entering said cutouts when said pressure plate is in position of use, said pressure plate embodying a plurality of extensions so positioned in use that they rest on said arm stop members when the latter are in their inward position, said pressure plate resting upon said arm ledge portions when said arms extend outwardly away from said plate, and a cover resting on said base posts having a plurality of openings therein a portion of each said opening being of a size to pass over said base posts head portion and another portion of said opening being too small to pass over said head portion and being of a size to receive said reduced neck portion, said cover embodying a screw member screw-threadedly connected thereto and adapted to move below said cover and bear against said pressure plate to thereby force the latter into operative position downwardly.

8. A base member for a device to make printing plates, comprising three posts extending upwardly and spaced apart, a plurality of arms rotatably connected to said posts, each said arm embodying a stop member at its outer end portion extending upwardly, said arms and posts being positioned adjacent the periphery of said base, said arms being of sufficient length whereby they may be swung outwardly away from said base and carry said stop members outside said base, each said arm embodying a ledge portion extending outward laterally beyond said posts.

9. A base member for a device to make printing plates, comprising a flat portion, three posts extending upwardly and spaced apart, a plurality of arms rotatably connected at their inner ends to said posts and resting upon said flat portion, each said arm embodying a stop member at its outer end portion extending upwardly, said arms and posts being positioned adjacent the periphery of said base, said arms being of sufficient length whereby they may be swung outwardly away from said base and carry said stop members outside said base, said stop members being lower than said posts, each said arm embodying a ledge portion extending laterally outward beyond said posts.

10. A device for making printing plates comprising a base, a plurality of posts attached to said base, a plurality of arms rotatably connected to said posts, each said arm embodying a stop member extending upwardly and a ledge portion adjacent its said post, and below said stop member, and extending laterally beyond said post, said arms being of suflicient length whereby they may be swung outwardly away f om said base and carry said stop members outside said base, a movable pressure plate adapted to rest on said stop members when in one position of use and to rest on said ledge portions in another position of use, and a movable cover adapted to rest on said base posts embodying a movable pressure member adapted upon actuation to contact said pressure plate,

in either position, and force it against either said stop members or said ledge portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,133,512 Theadore Mar. 30, 1915 2,744,462 Krammer May 8, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 343,760 Germany Aug. 3, 1920 

